To those who served in Afghanistan

[6oclockshadow]

It is estimated that there are 15,000 US citizens still trapped in Afghanistan--surrounded by Taliban.
Not sure how this is going to play out, but seems very poorly planned.

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by 6oclockshadow

It is estimated that there are 15,000 US citizens still trapped in Afghanistan--surrounded by Taliban.
Not sure how this is going to play out, but seems very poorly planned.

Poorly planned is an understatement.

The past 4 administrations have rattled their sabres in regards to getting out of Afghanistan. Despite the stay or leave controversy, our military leaders should've had an exit strategy drawn up long ago. And, the plan should be dynamic and updated frequently as the situation changes such as troop strength and positions, etc.

[King Rudi]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

Attachment 2674482


For those who gave it all for the undeservings who want it all.



Attachment 2674483

So people who have not served in the military are undeserving? That's a weird way of looking at things. Not starting a battle here, just an odd point of view.

[Joekerr]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

Attachment 2674482


For those who gave it all for the undeservings who want it all.



Attachment 2674483

Originally Posted by King Rudi

So people who have not served in the military are undeserving? That's a weird way of looking at things. Not starting a battle here, just an odd point of view.

Since you lately appear to be in the mood for the dissection of posts, I have to say, let's go for a deeper dive here...

The statement is even more problematic, because it implies that those who gave it all did so for those undeserving of their sacrifice. And that could really reflect poorly on the character of those men and women who made that sacrifice then I fear. I mean, did they truly value their family and children so little that they preferred to go fight a war and perhaps die rather than spend additional time with them? Or did they truly despise the rest of the population so much that they saw them as undeserving and, if so, why on earth did they choose to die for them? Ahh, problems, problems...the statement has so many.

On the other hand, unlike LJ, I'm *pretty* sure they did it to protect those who were deserving of it in fact...like their wives and children and friends and all those who descend from them. So I suspect they too would take issue with LJ's little statement as well.

[Lady Jane]

History is always lost to the uneducated.


Attachment 2675528

[2000cs]

I started this thread simply to thank those who did serve.

Of course I have opinions and feelings about all of this, some very strong. But I am not posting those because I intended this to just be a thank you and not anything more, and I’d prefer it get back to that. Parsing of posts, points of view on the war, exit, etc. are for another thread or another forum.

Stories about serving in Afghanistan are most welcome, as well. They make the sacrifice more real, visceral, for me anyway.

[MsGoGoMoto]

I sure don't like seeing this on the news feed.
Especially when we are trying to pull back to the rear after 20 years.
I'm old now…. Staring at pics taken of me back then in uniform that were developed on film from an instant camera.
It wasn't supposed to be this long.
I thought we would be out of there around 2008 ish.
Peace to humanity no more war.
We have to advance

[Lady Jane]

Originally Posted by 2000cs

I started this thread simply to thank those who did serve.

I was born and raised by two military parents. My entire upbringing was military. And I thank you for this thread.

[Joekerr]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

History is always lost to the uneducated.


Attachment 2675528

If you are going to quote him at least do him the justice of putting all the words in there. Cause right now it doesn't make sense and the temptation is to lump you into the uneducated category too.

[///d]

I didn't serve in Afghanistan, but I did serve in Iraq and I remember the emotions when we "left" ( I say "left" because we are back in Iraq but not on the same scale as before). Now I sit here in Kuwait with guys that served in Afghan, and guys that are now back in Afghan, and theres a lot of mixed emotion and frustration here.

It's crazy to think I now have Soldiers in my ranks that were not alive for 9/11, or were just babies. The majority of the Soldiers and Marines sent to Afghanistan for this were too young to remember or understand 9/11. When I was a young Soldier I remember seeing deployment patches everywhere. Just about all NCO leadership had been to Iraq or Afghanistan. Now I see a lot of empty right shoulders when walking around.

[Littlebear]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

History is always lost to the uneducated.

Attachment 2675528

"It was in the waning days of November 2001 that Taliban leaders began to reach out to Hamid Karzai, who would soon become the interim president of Afghanistan: They wanted to make a deal.

“The Taliban were completely defeated, they had no demands, except amnesty,” recalled Barnett Rubin, who worked with the United Nations’ political team in Afghanistan at the time."


Then what happened??

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/23/w...ed-states.html

[TiMSport]

Here's an interesting perspective coming from a veteran who served there.

https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/r...253641358.html

[stevenopoly]

I'm not a military expert, but it seems like anyone with half a brain would've pulled out the citizens before pulling out the armed forces along with NOT leaving behind ALL the weapons...

What in the actual F*k

Goodnight America, We're on a downward trend. SAD.

[TiMSport]

Didn't want to start an entirely separate thread but the reports coming out of Kabul right now are disturbing. F'n Isis K group allegedly behind bombings around the airport and there are casualties including children.

[cmyx6go]

Originally Posted by TiMSport

Didn't want to start an entirely separate thread but the reports coming out of Kabul right now are disturbing. F'n Isis K group allegedly behind bombings around the airport and there are casualties including children.

It's a disgrace, embarrassing and tragic. My heart goes out to those poor people that can't get out.

[MsGoGoMoto]

Originally Posted by stevenopoly

I'm not a military expert, but it seems like anyone with half a brain would've pulled out the citizens before pulling out the armed forces along with NOT leaving behind ALL the weapons...

What in the actual F*k

Goodnight America, We're on a downward trend. SAD.

USA: 20 years of occupying and training the Afghan army to defend their country and civilians.

USA: Ok, time for US to go, you got this Afghan Army. We practiced this! See yea!

Taliban:

Afghan Army: …… looks at stockpile of weapons…… damn, we should have read the training manual. USA was doing so good defending for us, we got lazy and can't do it. DONT GO PLZ.

USA: BYE

Taliban: opens door like Kramer on Seinfeld.

Civilians

Afghan army: t-t-take these weapons… please don't kill us.

USA. Blames president.

[6oclockshadow]

Originally Posted by MsGoGoMoto

USA: 20 years of occupying and training the Afghan army to defend their country and civilians.

USA: Ok, time for US to go, you got this Afghan Army. We practiced this! See yea!

Taliban:

Afghan Army: …… looks at stockpile of weapons…… damn, we should have read the training manual. USA was doing so good defending for us, we got lazy and can't do it. DONT GO PLZ.

USA: BYE

Taliban: opens door like Kramer on Seinfeld.

Civilians

Afghan army: t-t-take these weapons… please don't kill us.

USA. Blames president.

Blaming for the botched withdrawal, de-commissioning Bagram before everyone was home, leaving civilians on the ground???? Well, ya...

[MsGoGoMoto]

Originally Posted by 6oclockshadow

Blaming for the botched withdrawal, de-commissioning Bagram before everyone was home, leaving civilians on the ground???? Well, ya...

Yeah. Agreed.
Ripping off a 20year old bandaid without proper planning is never pretty. Or it's just pretty hard to do since the last 2 presidents didn't do it.

All I know is…
Never want to see that side of the world with my bare eyes as a soldier ever again.

[6oclockshadow]

Enough with the ripping off the bandaid --You're as much as saying 'this was inevitable'. And none of the last 4 presidents were in office when we de-commissioned Bagram and fled the region leaving thousands of civilians on the ground--along with billions in war equipment. Blame is squarely where it belongs--the US commander in chief.

[MsGoGoMoto]

Originally Posted by 6oclockshadow

Enough with the ripping off the bandaid --You're as much as saying 'this was inevitable'. And none of the last 4 presidents were in office when we de-commissioned Bagram and fled the region leaving thousands of civilians on the ground--along with billions in war equipment. Blame is squarely where it belongs--the US commander in chief.

Like I said.
Ripping off a bandaid isn't easy

[upstatedoc]

Can we discuss military strategy without it being political? I don't know. If not maybe we should give it a rest

[MsGoGoMoto]

Originally Posted by upstatedoc

Can we discuss military strategy without it being political? I don't know. If not maybe we should give it a rest

There appeared to be little to no strategy.

All those people having to be evacuated.
I agree with all those who express concern about the civilians.
Damn I feel for them.
Especially the kids.
What happens to the kids?